SOMERSET Council have unveiled a major Government-funded Highways scheme which will see Wellington’s M5 junction 26 closed for three months this summer.
The refurbishment scheme, which will be undertaken by the council’s contractor Heidelberg Materials, will begin in June to replace junction 26 of the M5 along with the A38 Chelston link road.
The contractor will use an innovative technique known as rubblisation to completely break up the existing concrete road surface using heavy machinery.
Due to the depth of excavations required around the Junction 26 roundabout, the project will require a complete closure of Junction 26 and the A38 link road (from J26 to Foxmoor Business Park) from June 16 to mid to late September.
Access will be maintained to Foxmoor Business Park from Chelston Roundabout under traffic management but with some overnight/weekend closures.
A representative for Somerset Council said: “The window and timescale for the work has been agreed with National Highways and is dictated by forthcoming M5 works, alongside the need to allow National Highways to access its gritting depot off the Chelston link road during winter.”
Somerset Council’s lead member for transport and waste services, Councillor Richard Wilkins, said: “This is a major scheme which will see the complete renewal of the old link road and motorway roundabout.
“Everyone who uses this route will be well aware of the state of the road. That’s why we are grabbing this opportunity with both hands, having successfully secured funding from Government. It has not been easy to find a suitable window to get this done due to its proximity to the M5, and the need for access to National Highways’ depot.
“This is the only feasible way to renew this vital road. Doing nothing would mean we continue to patch the road piecemeal as and when, and this not cost effective and means sporadic long disruption. We have the money from Government, and we want to get this done.
“However, we understand this will be disruptive and we are working closely with local businesses, community leaders and residents to ensure this is minimised as much as possible.
“The team will be meeting people at two drop-ins in Wellington and West Buckland to answer questions about the scheme and tackle any concerns.”
Director of Foxmoor Business Park, Gideon Sumption, has expressed his concern for the welfare of local businesses. The industrial estate relies on its proximity to the motorway for many of its services.
He said: “It’s going to be a nightmare for the business community of Wellington and particularly for those at Foxmoor Business Park and Chelston.”
Two public drop-ins will be held in May in Wellington on dates to be confirmed shortly and another is scheduled for Wednesday, May 14, in West Buckland Parish Hall from 4pm to 7pm to give people the chance to meet the team and find out more.
A dedicated web page with FAQs will be available soon on www.somerset.gov.uk - search J26.